Panera Asks Gun Owners to Not Bring Their Guns

The Richmond Times Dispatch reports Panera Bread has asked customers to not bring their guns with them when they eat in the chain:

The restaurant chain is joining Target, Chipotle, Starbucks and a number of other companies that already have asked customers to refrain from bringing firearms into their stores.

But, it should be noted, like Target, Chipotle, and Starbucks, this isn't an out right ban on firearms:

Shaich told CNBC that the company will continue to abide by state and federal firearms laws. He also said that store employees won't be asked to enforce the policy or put up signs about it. 

So, it appears this is another company who wants to appear to be bowing to Shannon Watts and Mike Bloomberg without actually doing so.  Apparently Panera doesn't have the gonads that Kroger possesses.

Let's Hope This Is The Last Time We Have to Deal With This

A great deal has been written on the Open Carry Texas (OCT)/Chipotle incident and the resulting policy announcement by the restaurant chain (not really a change in policy, just fodder for the gun ban lobby to claim it was a victory).  I wasn't going to add to the discourse but after reading an article that was posted on Wednesday over at Legal Insurrection, I thought I would share the article and one of the point's made by the author.

First, for those not familiar with Virginia law, The Code of Virginia is silent on open carry, which means it is not prohibited.  I know people who carry handguns openly and do so in a safe non-threatening manner.  Chances are, most people would not know if the person carrying is a private citizen or an off duty police officer.  For the most part, there are few issues in Virginia with open carry.  I don't personally know anyone who carries a modern sporting rifle openly in public but it has been done in Virginia.  VSSA supports the right of law abiding gun owners to carry as they believe is best for their circumstances.  This writer also believes, as NRANews host Cam Edwards says, gun owners should be good ambassadors for the 2nd Amendment.  The vast majority of us are.  There is however that small percentage (see the above) that doesn't help our cause.

I've read some good commentary on the incident depicted in the photo above but I think the best comes from the aforementioned piece at Legal Insurrection.  After describing his pro-gun bona fides (shooting since he was aged in the single digits, NRA Life Member for some two decades, and an NRA Instructor), Andrew Branca gives what I think is one of the strongest arguments against the practice of walking into a business carrying an AR-15 or similar long gun in the manner in the photo:

I’ve described my gun rights “cred.” If I’m in that Starbucks, and such an “OCIYF!” crowd strolls in, they’ve brightened themselves considerably on my personal “threat radar.” As is my practice any time such brightening occurs, my first move after having identified the threat is to assess imminence, followed by immediately vacating the area.

That, gentlemen, is the degree of alarm experienced, and evasion performed, by someone with a life around guns, more than a few rounds down the barrel of an AR, an effective personal defensive weapon on my hip, and many years of training and practice in its use.

Sebastian notes that Open Carry Texas has changed their protest protocols.  Let's hope this policy change helps OCT in their cause, and stops causing the rest of us a problem.

Hat tip Gun Free Zone, The Gun Wire, and Shall Not Be Questioned.

Completely Agree With Sebastian on This

Yes, it is just Sebastian's initial thoughts on the Starbucks announcement with a promised lengthier post later but his second point that this was self inficted came to my mind as well when I first heard the news. Sometimes we can be our own worst enemy.

Carolyn McCarthy Slams Virginia Gun Laws

It's not bad enough that congress critters spout off about most anything whether they know what they are talking about or not. They are given free print space on national news web sites to share their opinions with the world. Today, U.S. News posted an OP/Ed on their web site from New York Congresswoman Carolyn McCarthy, one of the most anti-rights members of the U.S. House where she states that "Open Carry Gun Laws Turn the Country Back into the Wild West."

There are only three states, Florida, Texas, and Illinois, and the District of Columbia that outright prohibit the open carrying of handguns. Only three!

Then in the next stroke of her pen, she tells us she is not against people owning guns, then uses the worn out cliche that we have fallen back to the Wild West.

Now, contrary to public perception, I have never been against people owning guns for protection, hunting, or sport. But there are days when I read the newspaper or am watching the news and it seems as if our country is back in the Wild West.

She doesn't waste much time mischaracterizing the just signed repeal of the restaurant ban either while at the same time using some little known college poll to back up her claim that the public is against self-defense in restaurants.

For example, Virginia recently passed a bill that will allow people to carry concealed guns in bars and restaurants as long as they do not consume any alcohol. According to a October 2009 Christopher Newport University poll, 68 percent of likely voters in Virginia answered "no" when asked if they thought people with concealed weapons permits should be allowed to bring their guns into restaurants that sell alcohol— 68 percent! What happened to listening to what the voters want? I further agree with the State Association of Chiefs of Police, who sent a letter to Gov. Bob McDonnell asking that he veto the law because the combination of firearms and alcohol is similar to drinking while driving. Shouldn't we at least listen to those whose job it is to keep us safe: our law enforcement officials?

Never mind the fact that before Virginia passed its law allowing concealed carry in restaurants like Applebees and Olive Garden, there had been no carnage in the other 41 states that already allow people to be prepared to defend their families should it become necessary. And, I would like to know if those chiefs of police who oppose you and me carrying in restaurants oppose retired law enforcement from carrying, or Commonwealth's Attorneys? These are two classes of citizens that already had the right, and they are allowed to consume alcohol while carrying. The bill signed by Governor McDonnell expressly forbids consumption.

As for open carry, Starbucks and a number of firearm friendly businesses in Virginia that regularly welcome gun owners that openly carry can attest that those choosing to exercise the right are law abiding and simply want to patron their businesses. In this economy, I would think that a business would welcome a buck where ever they can get it. I can think of no better patron than a gun owner.

Starbucks in Crosshairs of Gun Control Lobby

Do a Google search for "Starbucks and Gun Control" you will find dozens of newspapers that have picked up this AP article on people exercising their right to bear arms in local Starbucks, and the coffee company actually letting them.

Dale Welch recently walked into a Starbucks in Virginia, handgun strapped to his waist, and ordered a banana Frappuccino with a cinnamon bun. He says the firearm drew a double-take from at least one customer, but not a peep from the baristas.

Welch's foray into the coffeehouse was part of an effort by some gun owners to exercise and advertise their rights in states that allow people to openly carry firearms.

Even in some "open carry" states, businesses are allowed to ban guns in their stores. And some have, creating political confrontations with gun owners. But Starbucks, the largest chain targeted, has refused to take the bait, saying in a statement this month that it follows state and local laws and has its own safety measures in its stores.

I don't usually go to Starbucks, mainly because I can buy coffee cheaper at another merchant the same distance from my office as the nearest Starbucks. But, I give them kudos for following state and local laws in setting policy related to the legal carrying of firearms.